This Day in 1913 in The Record: April 1, 1913

Tuesday, April 1, 1913. As last week's flood waters continue to recede, rumors sweep the city tonight of disaster by fire, but The Record reports only four firefighters injured from an explosion and wall collapse on a formerly flooded stretch of Front Street.

The fire breaks out in the Thorne Holdfast Metal Bar company building just north of Fulton Street. Two patrolmen smell smoke while walking their beat and find the building "enveloped in flames." After two alarms are sounded firemen are hard at work when an explosion brings down the rear wall of the building.

"It was at first thought that at least twenty-five firemen were buried and hurry calls brought the ambulances of the Troy and Samaritan hospitals and the police patrol wagon," our reporter notes. Mayor Cornelius Burns narrowly escapes the collapse while observing the fire.

"Reports spread about the city that the loss of life had been heavy from the collapse of the building and this brought an unusual crowd to the scene, which in a measure handicapped the workers." Before the crowds arrive, another explosion shakes the structure about ten minutes after the wall collapse.

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Injured by the collapse are Henry P. O'Bryan and George Britton of the Read Steamer company, Alexander Waugh of the Osgood Steamer company and Lawrence Halton from Engine No. 14. O'Bryan and Waugh suffer broken legs, while Britton suffers a dislocated shoulder and Halton suffers burns and an eye injury. Several other firefighters suffer minor burns and injuries from the second exploision. O'Bryan is the acting state superintendent of construction of highways for Division 7.

"The origin of the fire is unknown and two explosions which occurred in the building cannot be accounted for by the occupants," our writer notes. Firemen at the scene suspect that chemicals caused the explosions.

Amid the confusion, fireman William Martin of the Ranken Steamer company is arrested for disorderly conduct after scuffling with fellow firefighters.

WORLD'S CHAMPIONSHIP BASKETBALL. Reading, Pennsylvania, hosts the first game of the so-called "world's championship" series of professional basketball, pitting Reading's Eastern League champions against the New York State League champions from Troy.

"There was a big crowd on hand, the largest in the history of basketball in Reading," our correspondent notes, "and the fans occupied every available inch of space."

The two leagues don't have identical rules books, but will play by Eastern League rules in Reading and State League rules in Troy. Fouls are called more quickly in the Eastern League, as the Trojans learn to their chagrin. Left guard Andy Sears sinks a mind-boggling 24 free throws to lead Reading to a 38-24 victory.